By Bill W. Cooper
“He who puts his hands in the ploy and looks back is unworthy,” so it is, as the plot to remove Fonati Koffa as Speaker of the 55th Legislature was a backslapping gamble by his colleagues.
Former President George Weah, minutes after the resolution was read in full glare on Capitol Hill, described the move as a ‘dangerous precedence of governance for Liberia.’
The leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) claimed that the attempt to manipulate the legislative branch for partisans’ gain is a direct affront to the principles of democracy and the will of the people.
Weah further emphasized that such actions will not be tolerated, noting, “Speaker Koffa has served with dedication and integrity, and any effort to remove him illegally under the guise of political expediency is a desperate and cowardly tactic that must be condemned by all who value the rule of law.”
The ex-president further warned members of the CDC legislative caucus to stand firmly against such insidious plot, and said, “We must remain steadfast in our commitment to democratic principles.”
“And the right of the people to choose their leaders without interference and let us also remain vigilant and united in our resolve to protect our national institutions and defend the integrity of our democracy in solidarity,” he added.
Weah also cautioned them not to resist being swayed by pecuniary gains and the siren song of those who seek to destabilize the governance process for their own selfish interests.
The former President warned that participating in such scheme will not only betray the trust of their constituents but will also carry dire significant political consequences for their future within the party and in the eyes of the Liberian people.
Meanwhile, some Senators and Representative have also weighed in on the matter with some calling the actions of their colleagues ‘counterproductive’ to the democratic tenants of Liberia while others have also called for due process in the matter.
In his Facebook post, Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon said, “Members of the House of Representatives have the rights and legal powers to remove a Speaker … but for “cause”, after “due process of law.”
According to him, when said removal process is marred by alleged bribery, and said “bribery” is exposed as seen in a viral video, then it calls for criminal investigation by the Justice Ministry and or the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to authentic the veracity of the “bribery” claim.
He noted, “I am not a member of the House and would ordinarily not have much to say or do with activities of that Chamber, but as a senator and a citizen, I am concerned about the “bribery” claim that runs afoul of our laws. It is a criminal allegation against the STATE!!”
Dillon asserted, “Remember, bribery is a felony for which a Lawmaker or any group of Lawmakers can be arrested and prosecuted … even during Sessions of the Legislature. And in any bribery claim, there must be a “giver and a recipient”!”
“I am therefore impressing upon the Ministry of Justice, including the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, to immediately institute criminal investigations into this matter to ensure justice and fair play.
This investigation must begin with the arrest and subsequent questioning of the lawmaker seen in this video to tell from where he received the alleged bribe. This, too, should NOT be normal in Liberia,” he added.
Bomi County Senator, Edwin Melvin Snowe, took to his social media page saying, “It is important that the entire opposition community support Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa!”
He added, “Mr. Speaker, I stand with you. The Speakership is more valuable to our democracy than US$15,000!”
While Nimba County District 7 Representative, Musa Hassan Bility posted by saying, “The decision by some members of the Honorable House of Representatives to stand outside the chambers of the House to read a resolution calling for the removal of the Speaker is a moment for reflection on our democratic values.”
He narrated, “If you have the votes, bring them to the chambers’ floors for debate and ballots. Let us uphold the integrity of the people’s house. Follow the laws and use your “majority vote” to effect change.”
“We have seen a seamless transition of power in January, setting a positive example. Let us work together to maintain stability in our governance system. As lawmakers, let us embrace our roles and lead by example. And for the records, I am totally against removing the speaker,” Bility added.
Montserrado County District 6 Representative, Samuel Enders decried, “Am very surprised and disappointed that the executive will not prioritize accounting for the US$16, million off budget spending, budget alterations, unity and community project, but finding money to remove a speaker, I am not a part.”
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia has sharply reacted to the ongoing saga at the House of Representatives saying, it categorically rejects link to plot on Capitol Hill to remove House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
According to a Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) release issued hours following the incident at the Capitol, the government describes the link as preposterous, disgraceful and unfounded accusations by the leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), George Weah, that it is funding such a scheme.
“We believe that the purported plot to remove Speaker Koffa from his leadership role looks more like an internal power struggle within the CDC orchestrated by Mr. Weah.
This is why Mr. Weah has been quick to deflect attention from himself to the Boakai-led Government.
Mr. Weah is noted for fighting proxy battles against prominent leaders within the CDC so as to cement himself as the party’s demi-god rather than allowing others to gain political prominence.
It is our thinking that Mr. Koffa’s confident leadership style scares Mr. Weah,” the release added.
Meanwhile, the government reiterates that it is focused on delivering for the Liberian people.
“The people were rescued from Mr. Weah, and we remain committed to delivering for them the ARREST Agenda. The government will not be distracted by the former President’s continuous mudslinging and incendiary comments,” the release concluded.
